Capsicum - Capsicum frutescens
(africa pepper,
american pepper, bird pepper, cayenne, chilli pepper, cockspur pepper,
goat's pepper, pod pepper, red pepper, spanish pepper, zanzibar pepper)
Cayenne is a naturally perennial plant but can also appear as an annual.
It can grow to a height of 3 feet or more, and it's stem is woody towards
the base and branched near the top. The white to yellow flowers are drooped
and grow alone, in pairs, or in threes between April and September. The
fruit is a many-seeded pod and is yellow to red when ripe.
Capsicum
is an appetizer, digestive, irritant, sialagogue, stimulant and tonic. As an
infusion, it is taken for stomach and bowel pains and cramps. Small
quantites of the fresh fruit will stimulate the appetite, and it can also be
used externally as a tincture to increase blood flow to areas afflicted
with rheumatism, athritis, pleuritis or pericarditis.
Prolonged use
externally may cause dermatitis and raise blisters. Excessive consumption
can cause gastroenteritis and kidney damage.